Sure the economy blew this year, but several new Valley restaurants took a chance anyway and opened their doors in 2011. From Cambodian cuisine, to Texas barbecue, to "crazy cook" Italian, here are some of the new places we're most excited about.
Barrio Queen and Silvana Bistro Opened: December 2011 | Cuisine: Mexican | Price: $11-$30 Like two extra gifts of goodness for the holidays, Valley legend and the chef and owner of Barrio Café, Silvana Salcido Esparza, opened Barrio Queen, her casual Mexican eatery, on December 26, and plans to open her second concept next door, the more elegant Silvana Bistro, on New Year's Eve. Barrio Queen will sit alongside Silvana Bistro in the SouthBridge space in Old Town Scottsdale and will offer an all-day breakfast, bakery, several weekend specials, over 350 kinds of tequila, and Mexican specialty dishes such as tlacoyos and red or green pork chile in addition to tamales, elotes, chiles rellenos, Mexican-style french fries, tortillas, blue and white corn masa quesadillas, cemitas, and tons of tacos.The second restaurant concept from Esparza, Silvana Bistro, does not yet have a menu, but Esparza tells me she intends to release it a few days before the opening after she shops the farmers markets to see what they have on hand.
What say you, Valley restaurant ravers? What was your favorite new place to eat this year?